The Prime Minister of India is the head of government and chief executive authority of the Republic of India, exercising real executive power on behalf of the President. The PM is appointed by the President and is typically the leader of the political party or coalition commanding a majority in the Lok Sabha.

Narendra Damodardas Modi took office as the 14th Prime Minister of India on May 26, 2014, leading the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition. He previously served as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. He won a historic third consecutive term in June 2024, becoming only the second PM after Jawaharlal Nehru to do so.

The Prime Minister chairs the Union Cabinet, the apex decision-making body of the Indian government, and represents India at international forums including the G20, UN General Assembly and BRICS. Key constitutional powers include appointing and removing Cabinet Ministers, recommending the dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the President, and acting as the principal channel of communication between the President and the Council of Ministers.

The President of India is the ceremonial Head of State and the formal head of the executive, legislature and judiciary, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. The President is elected indirectly by an electoral college comprising elected members of Parliament and state legislatures, serving a 5-year term.

Droupadi Murmu became the 15th President of India on July 25, 2022 — the first person from a tribal (Santhal) community and only the second woman to hold the office, after Pratibha Patil. She previously served as Governor of Jharkhand (2015–2021).

While most presidential powers are exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers, the President retains key discretionary powers including appointing the Prime Minister, dissolving the Lok Sabha on the PM's advice, granting pardons, and acting in situations of constitutional crisis such as imposing President's Rule in a state.